Dipper-door-locking means



J. A. SIMPSON DIPPER DOOR LOCKING MEANS Filed June 23, 1924 2 Sheets-Shoot 1 J. A. SIMPSON DIPPER noon LOCKING mums Dec. 22,1925- 1,566,437

Filed June 25, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 @MAJM QCWJ Patented Dec. 22, 1925.

UNITEDjS-TATES PATEN O.l"I-?-lCIi1-I i JAMES A. smrsonjor onroeoaitnnors.

' nrrrnn-noon-nocxme MEANS.

Application filed June 23, 1924. Serial navalsos. T

My invention belongs to that general class of devicesknown as dipper door locking means, and relatees more particularly to an improvedenclosed latch bar construction for locking the dipper door closed on all shovels or dredges The invention has among its objects the production of a device of the kind described which is simple, convenient, compact, durable,'reliable, eflicient and satisfactory for use wherever found applicable. More particularly, the same has as an object the production of a locking mechanism which will operate efficiently without sticking, and which will notordinarily be accidentally tripped, thereby avoiding many of the usual inconveniences and delays due to inefficient locking mechanism. Many other objects and advantages ofthe construction herein shownand described will be obvious to those skilled in the art from the disclosures herein given. t

To this end. my invention cons1sts 1n the novel construct-ion, arrangementand combination of parts herein shown and described. and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like or corresponding may be arranged on the housing so that a parts: 7

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a dipper equipped with my improved locking mechanism;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 2-2 of Fig. 4;;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view tially on line 33 of Fig. 4;

Flg. 4 is a bottom plan view of the dipper shown in Fig. 1. I v

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 5-5 of Fig. 4; and

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 66 of Fig. 4.

Referring to the drawings, 1 represents a dipper or bucket provided with the door 2 suitably hinged thereto at one edge. As shown, the same is provided with the hinge members 3 pivotally secured to the bucket at 4, it being understood that the bucket contaken substanstruction andfother parts of the excavating machine may beas desired. The free edge' A ofthe. door opposite the hinged edge adapted to be locked to the bucket, the locking'mechanism in devices of this kind. being such that the door may be unlatched or released when it'is desired todump' the load.

My improved locking mechanism consists of the locking bar 5. carried by one part, as shown, the door 2,; and adapted to engage a cooperating member 6 which is illustrated as applied to the bucket or dipper 1. As shown, the latch cooperating member 6 is provided with an opening 7' therethrough for the engagement of the latch bolt 5 and the same maybe secured to the bucket by rivets 8 'or equivalent means for the purpose. In the bucket shown, the cross--bar9 is arranged on the'door and secured thereto, as

shown, to the hinge members 3, by means of bolts or rivets 10.; The member 9 is shown cated at 11. Mounted onthe door a housing 12 which is shown as secured to the door by means of bolts or rivets l5 extendingthrough the flange 14;. The housing is arranged at each end as indicated at 16 and 17 so as to closely fit the bolt orlatch bar 3 which projects from the housing to engage grease gun or the like may be employed for forcing grease or heavy oil into the housing from time to time as required. The bar '5 is preferably bevelled at its outer end as indicated at 20 so that it will be retracted when the door is slammed shut, after which it ordinarily slides back into place. The looking bar control or at least amechanism consists of the bar 23 pivotally secured at 22 to the end 21 of the latch bolt. The particular bar 23 illustrated is substantially a loop formed of the two legs 23 which are secured at their free ends by a bolt or pin 24 to a bracket 25 carried on the bottom 2. The

extended overithe face of the door, as indiopposite end is connected with a cable 26 or bucket is raised and brought over the dothe latch bolt from its ensired point, the bar 23 is tripped or pulled so as to slide the bolt 5 and release the door so that the contents of the bucket are dumped. When the bucket is returned, gravity will maintain the bolt in its operative position, and as the door slams shut, the bar will be retracted and again drop into locking position.

It wil be noted that the latch bar is fully protected, except at the twoends, the same being eiliciently liiibricated so that it operates ca 'ly to engage or disengage the part 6 and lo; or unlock the door. The arrangement of the cross-lever 23 is such that its weigl'it acts to force the bar into place and retain it there until the operator dumps the load where desired. Also, owing to the very compact arrangement, the bar 23 being to a large extent protected between the hinges and by the housing, the same does not easily catch on the truck or wagon body or other objects when the dipper is being operated. This is of importance as with many constructions the dump lever is accidentally tripped, thereby depositing the load on the run-way so that it may have to be shoveled oil by hand or dumping it in places where it must be again picked up.

The same is so arranged that mud and other excavated material cannot get under and around the latch bar, thereby preventing it "from slipping into place so that it is not necessary for the pit man to be continuously cleaning the bottom or door and look ing mechanism in order to keep the dipper in operation. Likewise, when the shovel is working on a street or road excavation, it is customary to pull the excavated materials back, which have pulled over the curb lines or partly by reaching out with the dipper and pulling back, thus throwing the latch in the dirt, and in this instance it is not necessary to clean the latch bar to keep it in operation Also, owing to the protection of the latch bar, it is impossible for the materials in cold weather to "freeze up the bar and mechanism and prevent its operation until the same has been thawed out by steam or the like. In th' way, by protecting the bar and lubri 'ng it and arranging the trip mechanism in the manner set forth, the many delays ordinarily occurring are obviated and much unnecessary labor in cleaning is avoided.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that various immaterial modifications may he made in the same without departing from the spirit of my invention; hence I do not wish to be understood aslimiting myself to the er-zact form, construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described or uses mentioned.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

In a dipper bucket, a door hinged thereto at one side a latch bar, means carried by the bucket and engageable by said latch bar for securing said door in its closed position, a plate secured to said door and slidably engaged by said latch bar, and a member secured to said plate and cooperating there with to form bearings for said latch bar, said member having a chamber adapted to hold a supply of lubricant.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name.

JAMES A. SIMPSON. 

